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Liner Note Author: Graeme Ewens.

Photographer: Graeme Ewens.

A nice compilation of the ultra-varied career of Manu Dibango. The disc jumps from era to era comfortably, but hits upon almost every phase Dibango passed through (with the surprising exception of the original "Soul Makossa"). The album starts out in his early years with a sax-saturated ska in "Ngolowake," moving to the solo marimba work, a smooth jazz-esque version of "Nature Boy," and an orchestral work from his early days. Also included are pieces from the makossa days, contemporary R&B, urban grooves and more. The album ends with a contemporary remix of "Soul Makossa" and "Big Blow," with Bill Laswell and Herbie Hancock taking the sideman roles. Dibango has an ?ber-impressive resume, and this is one of the better collections to introduce listeners to the variety present. ~ Adam Greenberg